Criminal Defense Attorneys in St. Louis, MO

Practice Areas We Handle in St. Louis

DWI Defense

DWI makes up approximately 40% of our caseload — and for good reason. Our founder completed the same NHTSA training that law enforcement officers use to administer field sobriety tests, which means we know exactly how to challenge the State’s evidence at the technical level. Missouri’s DWI laws use a unique offender classification system that escalates based on prior alcohol-related enforcement contacts — from Class B Misdemeanor (first offense) through Class B Felony (habitual offender, 5–15 years prison).¹ We defend every level.

A DWI arrest also triggers an administrative license suspension with a 15-day deadline to request a hearing.² Missing that deadline means automatic suspension regardless of the criminal case outcome. Our firm handles both the criminal and administrative proceedings simultaneously.

Drug Charges

Drug offenses in St. Louis range from misdemeanor marijuana possession to dangerous felony trafficking with mandatory minimums. We handle simple possession (§579.015), possession with intent to distribute (§579.020), drug trafficking (§579.065), manufacturing (§579.055), and substance-specific charges involving fentanyl (trafficking threshold of just 10 milligrams), methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and prescription drugs.³

Drug cases are among the most defensible charges we handle — Fourth Amendment challenges to searches, constructive possession arguments when drugs are found in shared spaces, and drug court diversion programs all create real paths to reduced charges or dismissal.

Weapons Charges

Missouri’s permissive gun laws create a narrow line between lawful possession and criminal charges — and crossing it carries severe penalties. Unlawful use of a weapon is a Class E Felony at base, escalating to a Class B Felony with a 15-year mandatory minimum for shooting offenses.⁴ Felon in possession ranges from Class D through Class B, depending on criminal history.⁵ And Armed Criminal Action — the enhancement that attaches to any felony involving a weapon — adds 3 to 15+ years of mandatory consecutive prison time with no probation.⁶

St. Louis recorded 4,386 weapons law violations in 2025 — making weapons offenses one of the highest-volume charge categories in the metro area. Our attorneys defend the full spectrum of firearms charges under Chapter 571, from concealed carry violations through ACA enhancements.

Violent Crimes

Assault, robbery, and other violent crime charges carry the most serious penalties in Missouri’s criminal code. First-degree assault is a Class B/A dangerous felony with 85% mandatory minimums.⁷ Robbery in the first degree carries Class A/B exposure.⁸ Our attorneys provide aggressive defense using self-defense claims, eyewitness identification challenges, charge reduction negotiations, and trial advocacy when the State cannot meet its burden. 

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence charges carry immediate consequences that extend beyond the criminal case itself — protection orders, child custody modifications, and a federal firearms prohibition that applies to all domestic violence convictions, including misdemeanors.⁹ Missouri’s domestic assault statutes (§565.072–.076) include unique provisions like the strangulation allegation that triggers automatic felony exposure and the isolation provision that criminalizes restricting access to communication and transportation.¹⁰

We handle the criminal case, the protection order proceedings, and the collateral consequences simultaneously.

Sex Crimes

Sex offense charges demand the most serious defense available. The penalties include significant prison time, sex offender registration (15 years, 25 years, or lifetime depending on the offense), residency restrictions, and collateral consequences that follow a person permanently.¹¹ We provide confidential, aggressive defense for all sex crime allegations.

Theft and Property Crimes

From shoplifting to felony stealing, property crimes carry penalties that escalate based on the value of the property involved. Burglary in the first degree is a Class B dangerous felony.¹² Robbery crosses from property into violent crime territory with Class A/B exposure.⁸ We defend theft, burglary, robbery, arson, property damage, fraud, and all related charges.

Expungement

Missouri’s expanded expungement law under §610.140, RSMo allows many people with criminal records to petition for relief.¹³ Successful expungement clears the conviction from the record, restoring employment opportunities, housing eligibility, and — in most cases — firearm rights. We handle the petition process from start to finish.

Felony Defense

Whether the charge is a Class E Felony or a Class A Felony, the consequences of a conviction are permanent. Prison time, criminal records, loss of voting rights, loss of firearm rights, and employment barriers all follow felony convictions. Our attorneys bring the same aggressive defense to every level of felony charge.

Why St. Louis Criminal Defense Matters

The St. Louis metro area has a unique court structure that directly affects criminal defense strategy:

The 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County) — Based at the St. Louis County Justice Center in Clayton, this court handles all felony and misdemeanor cases originating in St. Louis County. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has specialized units for drug cases, violent crimes, domestic violence, and sex offenses.

The 22nd Judicial Circuit (St. Louis City) — Handles criminal cases originating within the City of St. Louis, separate from the county system. The Circuit Attorney’s Office prosecutes all felony and serious misdemeanor cases.

Municipal Courts — Dozens of municipalities throughout St. Louis County operate their own courts handling lower-level offenses. Each has its own prosecutor and procedures. Common municipal courts include Clayton, Chesterfield, Kirkwood, Florissant, Maryland Heights, Ballwin, and University City.

Our attorneys practice in all of these courts on a daily basis. The institutional knowledge built from daily practice — knowing which prosecutors negotiate, which judges are receptive to alternative sentencing, and how cases move through each system — is a practical advantage that shapes strategy from the first hearing.

Flat-Fee Pricing and Flexible Payment Plans

Criminal defense should not be inaccessible because of cost. Rose Legal Services offers flat-fee pricing for most criminal defense matters — clients know the full cost upfront with no hourly billing surprises. Flexible payment plans make quality defense accessible regardless of financial circumstances.

Free consultations are available 24/7. Call Rose Legal Services today — the defense starts with a conversation.

References

1. §577.010, RSMo [DWI — offender classification system].
2. §302.505-.540, RSMo [Administrative license suspension — 15-day deadline].
3. §579.015, .020, .055, .065, RSMo [Drug offenses — possession through trafficking].
4. §571.030, RSMo [Unlawful use of weapon — Class E base, Class B enhanced].
5. §571.070, RSMo [Unlawful possession of firearm — Class D through Class B].
6. §571.015, RSMo [Armed Criminal Action — mandatory consecutive].
7. §565.050, RSMo [Assault in the first degree — dangerous felony].
8. §570.023, RSMo [Robbery in the first degree].
9. 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(9) [Federal firearms prohibition — domestic violence].
10. §565.073, .076, RSMo [Domestic assault — strangulation, isolation provisions].
11. §589.400, RSMo [Sex offender registration].
12. §569.160, RSMo [Burglary in the first degree — dangerous felony].
13. §610.140, RSMo [Expungement].

Practice Area Pages:

• St. Louis DWI Lawyer
• St. Louis Drug Crimes Lawyer
• St. Louis Weapons Charges Lawyer
• St. Louis Assault Lawyer
• St. Louis Domestic Violence Lawyer
• St. Louis Felony Lawyer
• St. Louis Expungement Lawyer